Thousands of German nationals immigrated to Russia between 1763
and 1767 during the rule of Catherine the Great. There they pursued
the opportunity of freedom, local self-government and better economic
conditions as she promised. They settled in villages on the Russian
Steppe along the Volga River and thus came to be known as the Volga
Germans.

The Volga colonies became quite prosperous after suffering through
difficulties the first few years. Out of 104 settlements, 192 towns
and villages eventually developed on both sides of the Volga River.
However, by the late 1800s, when the "Russianizing" process
began the colonists started to explore immigrating to the United
States. Objecting to the compulsory military duty, the Volga-Germans
began departing in 1875 with larger group movements in the years
to come.

The week of July 21 to 27 the communities of Liebenthal, Schoenchen,
Catherine, Pfeifer, Munjor and Herzog/Victoria will be celebrating
their 125th anniversary of their new life in the United States.
These communities invite you to come and celebrate this special
anniversary week.

Liebenthal
- is the oldest of the villages founded by Unsere Leute and the
only one situated in Rush County. Located on Big Timber Creek, the
original founders were among the large group that left Saratov,
Russia October 24, 1875.

Also included in Liebenthal's activities will be public tours of
the school building, history display featuring 125 years of artifacts,
pictures, and souvenir items such as T-shirts, mugs, and plates.

Schoenchen
- is distinctive among Unsere Leute for it is the last settlement
founded by the Volga-Germans. It is the only one established in
1877 and the sole community created by spin-off from an original
because of conflict among the first settlers. Schoenchen is an incorporated
city and remains to be a tribute to the courage of those who braved
obstacles to breathe life into this beautiful setting along the
Smoky Hill River.

Memorable items of the Volga-German settlers will be available
along with items to celebrate the 100 years of St. Anthony Church.

The
Catherine founders were the first to leave their Russian
homeland. On October 22, 1875 they left Katharinenstadt the largest
and most important of the German colonies on the Volga. Arriving
in Hays on March 1, 1876, the Catherine settlers rented a building
at the corner of 13th & Fort. They drove their wagons daily
to the present site of Catherine and constructed dwellings. Upon
completion of the homes the entire group moved together and formally
established Catherine on April 8, 1876.

Catherine's afternoon and evening activities include: Food booths,
tours of the church and school, parade of antique farm machinery,
bingo, carnival games for children, beer booth, dinner at 5 p.m.
and free street dance at 7:30 p.m. Souvenir booths will be set up
to purchase memorabilia

The
settlement of Pfeifer is located approximately 10 miles south
of Victoria on the south bank of the Smoky Hill River. The founders
were among the first of Unsere Leute to leave Russia. History is
not completely clear on the exact arrival date but it does show
they arrived either on August 21 or 24, 1876. Additional immigrants
arrived in Pfeifer in October and November 1877. The early history
of Pfeifer is like the other Volga-German communities in Ellis County.
This is, common to the first immigrants, they endured crop failures,
major depressions and poverty. They learned to be frugal and had
a strong dedication to their faith and families, which still exists
today.

The
founders of Munjor were part of the largest single expedition
of Unsere Leute to immigrate from Russia. On July 8, 1876, 108 families
left Saratov arrived in Herzog in August, 1876 and stayed there
for a few weeks and then moved to the present site of Munjor. Munjor
remains a small, unincorporated village that is a deeply religious,
highly industrious, and extremely progressive that continues to
display an intense pride in their heritage.

Souvenirs will be available for purchase including historical books,
cookbooks, beer mugs, plates, T-shirts, coloring books and more.

Herzog
became the largest and most important of the Volga-German colonies
in Ellis County established on April 8, 1876. Most of the early
settlers were farmers and peasants and continued that livelihood
in this country. The religious dedication of the early settlers
is regarded nationally with profound respect of the unbelievable
accomplishment associated with the construction of "The Cathedral
of the Plains." Herzog was incorporated in 1913 and relinquished
the Herzog name and took the name Victoria after Queen Victoria
of England.

After 2:00 p.m. in Victoria, there will be food booths featuring
hamburgers, brats, homemade ice cream, watermelon, pop, beer, lemonade,
funnel cakes and more. Games for the children and souvenir booths
will be available all day. A new cookbook titled "Sharing Our
Best" 125 years of recipes and remembrances will be available
for purchase all week.

*Factual information was obtained from Unsere Leute 100 The Official
Centennial History of the Volga-German settlements in Ellis &
Rush Counties in Kansas 1876-1976.